How is your c32/c55 doing?
I bought my 05 Mars Red with 62K back in early 2013. It now has 108K. It has left me stranded on my driveway once when the starter went out. Besides the basic maintenance, i've had to the address the rear main seal, CPS, suspension bushings and rear tires, otherwise it has been the most reliable car i've own. It currently has a hair line crack on the front bumper due to a unforeseen parking curb, but that should be fixed soon. Overall I've been pleased with my ownership of it. I have my eye on a coupe W204 63, but every time i think of the possibility of another car payment, i love my paid-off C55 even more LOL.
repairs are.
In comparison to my SL65, the SL65's seats look very worn, and it's supposedly higher quality leather, 3 years newer, and 120,000 less butt time. But you do notice in the SL65 that the soft touch surfaces are real leather (everywhere, every surface, everywhere you look and feel) whereas the soft touch in the C55 is actually just injection molded soft plastic.

I have had nearly every possible disaster with the C32: replaced bad intercooler (thanks to a flash fried IAT sensor during WOT), destroyed the NAG transmission (glycol cont.), cracked the oil cooler (lol srysly), boiled the magnetic SC clutch twice, dead pump, etc.
However, I have done almost every possible thing to the C32.
Never stranded me. I respect it, but drive the absolute nuts out of it.
M112k makes serious torque down low. Just did new coils, plugs and wires, purrs and idles like it's brand new.
I have a nice pulley; never found one smaller than 61.9mm, when I cook it like I did the others I'll probably fix weld it to the blower for good. I'm also ready to go up front for stacking.
Only current issues: A) need to roll the rear fenders. 255 tires cannot handle the power, need 275s+ B) Bad Canadian roads make her rust in all the usual W203 spots. It's very difficult to watch, and I have trouble justifying a full blown metal cut and replace on such a common chassis, but uncommon model :/
I have read dozens of owners being angry/sad about losing or selling their 32, that I know to never part.
She will always have a replacement part, which the current mods should confirm:
- H&R Coilovers
- Quaife LSD
- Rebuilt Bluetop Trans
- EC Shorty Ceramic Coated Headers
- SpeedDriven Custom Welded Ceramic Coated Intercooler
- EC Heat Exchanger
- 61.9mm pulley
- ECU & TCU tune
- NSW I/C ISO
- NSW PSK
- CM30, Optima Yellow, res and sec-cat delete
- Replaced lots of little stuff, tweeters, speakers, HU, switches, lcd, etc.
Only car that gives you a free gold caliper paint-job upgrade:
5min re-re on the lazy LCD
Went through a fair bit of coolant saving up for an intercooler re-re..... this needed to be sandblasted out by Eurocharged...
tl;dr - Weathered C32 doing well; no CEL.
As for the lazy LCD screen...please post more info on that. Mine is impossible to see in the day and I dont mind buying the screen for about 70 bucks locally. I just need to know if I can do it or if there is somewhere I can go or send it to. I am really impressed with what you wrote here. I hope to continue seeing posts and updates on your 32 and also hope you don't have to cut into your rare chassis.
To keep with the spirit of the OP, i havent enjoyed my c32 much YET since ive had it. Looking forward to the experience.




Same with the C55 - when clean, it's still a beautiful modern car and it just keeps running and running. It's been my DD forever, but after buying another DD, it's just not worth having two. So I go back and forth on whether to keep the C55 or not, because it's still relevant and awesome.
In the end, I just need to rip of the band-aid and get a couple buyers and turn around and walk away with good memories and experiences.
The Best of Mercedes & AMG

2005 C55, I am the 2nd owner and bought it with 77K miles in August 2010. It replaced my 1989 300E which I took over from my father since high school in 2005. Ah, memories!
It has been such a great car. Like others have mentioned here, I love the formula of the car. Take a small, but practical 4 door sedan and stuff a big NA V8 into the engine bay. Keep it simple while still providing luxury and power. Win!
It has let me down twice. Well, maybe 1.5 times.
1st time: CPS failed in traffic on the highway driving home from work. I kind of knew what the problem was as soon as it happened since I occasionally lurk on these forums and picked up on what this might be like. I waited for 10 minutes, restarted the car and nursed the car home. ~$30 new part and some cursing in the driveway and it was all back to 100%.
*Moved to a new city*
2nd time: Driving to a nearby city, on the highway, I get a red light message in the center LCD with "alternator/battery visit workshop". I pulled over and got it towed home. It still started and drove on/off the tow truck on it's own power, for what it is worth. With the help of this forum, it turned out to be the voltage regulator. BTW, living in an apartment in a big city with a common underground parking garage is a hell of a challenge for a DIYer like me, but I learned how to make it work! Ha! (Hint, remove what you can off the car and fix it in your apartment, then take it back to reinstall.)
I have upgraded the steering wheel, replaced the shift buttons with paddles, put on the P030 brake package, switched to Forgestar wheels, installed the Renntech CF airbox, switched the aluminum trim to wood trim (I prefer it!), swapped to a Brabus shift knob and digital HVAC controls.
Other maintenance: Had to reseal the passenger side valve cover due to small oil leak that would give a burning smell inside the car. Decided to paint the valve cover red+clear while it was off. Replaced the driver side bumper turn signal housing due to heavy corrosion which kept giving me a bulb out warning despite installing fresh bulbs, Also replaced the passenger side mirror mount LED turn signal as it crapped out. Been doing oil and filter changes with M1 0W-40 every 5K miles.
Since moving to a new city and living in an apartment, I found a self-service garage near me that rents lift time at $40 an hour, I recently used it to change my transmission filter, drain and fill 3.5 liters of trans oil, clean the pan, magnet, and change the rear transmission mount. I really need to do the engine mounts, but I am at a total loss on how to get the old ones out. Every time I take a look at it, I come away with a headache.
Due to age and cracks, I elected to replaced the front bumper, fog lights, and repaint the fenders and hood at a local body shop for a big bill, but I love this car so much I did not care about the economics.
Recently, I have been thinking about how to integrate Android Auto and Apple Carplay and found that there is an open source community supporting Android Auto using Raspberry Pi hardware, so I bought off the shelf items, assembled them, uploaded the software following basic instructions and mounted the screen on the dash. It only works for Android Auto, but I got my phone to project to the Raspberry Pi and route the audio to the Bluetooth puck I have plugged into the AUX port so it all works for now and I like the upgrade given the cost ($150ish) I am designing a new housing for the LCD that I want to extend from the triangular dash grill piece with. Hopefully, I can 3D print it using Shapeways.com and have a way to hide all the wires and give it an OEM look.
I lust for a C63 with the 6.2, but am saving up for a house in my area with a 3+ car garage to support my hobby! Hoping to snag a late model W204 one day, but not sure if I am ready to let go of the C55. Maybe I can somehow keep both!
Last edited by Rahulio1975280C; May 15, 2019 at 12:14 AM.
Same with the C55 - when clean, it's still a beautiful modern car and it just keeps running and running. It's been my DD forever, but after buying another DD, it's just not worth having two. So I go back and forth on whether to keep the C55 or not, because it's still relevant and awesome.
In the end, I just need to rip of the band-aid and get a couple buyers and turn around and walk away with good memories and experiences.
2005 C55, I am the 2nd owner and bought it with 77K miles in August 2010. It replaced my 1989 300E which I took over from my father since high school in 2005. Ah, memories!
It has been such a great car. Like others have mentioned here, I love the formula of the car. Take a small, but practical 4 door sedan and stuff a big NA V8 into the engine bay. Keep it simple while still providing luxury and power. Win!
It has let me down twice. Well, maybe 1.5 times.
1st time: CPS failed in traffic on the highway driving home from work. I kind of knew what the problem was as soon as it happened since I occasionally lurk on these forums and picked up on what this might be like. I waited for 10 minutes, restarted the car and nursed the car home. ~$30 new part and some cursing in the driveway and it was all back to 100%.
*Moved to a new city*
2nd time: Driving to a nearby city, on the highway, I get a red light message in the center LCD with "alternator/battery visit workshop". I pulled over and got it towed home. It still started and drove on/off the tow truck on it's own power, for what it is worth. With the help of this forum, it turned out to be the voltage regulator. BTW, living in an apartment in a big city with a common underground parking garage is a hell of a challenge for a DIYer like me, but I learned how to make it work! Ha! (Hint, remove what you can off the car and fix it in your apartment, then take it back to reinstall.)
I have upgraded the steering wheel, replaced the shift buttons with paddles, put on the P030 brake package, switched to Forgestar wheels, installed the Renntech CF airbox, switched the aluminum trim to wood trim (I prefer it!), swapped to a Brabus shift knob and digital HVAC controls.
Other maintenance: Had to reseal the passenger side valve cover due to small oil leak that would give a burning smell inside the car. Decided to paint the valve cover red+clear while it was off. Replaced the driver side bumper turn signal housing due to heavy corrosion which kept giving me a bulb out warning despite installing fresh bulbs, Also replaced the passenger side mirror mount LED turn signal as it crapped out. Been doing oil and filter changes with M1 0W-40 every 5K miles.
Since moving to a new city and living in an apartment, I found a self-service garage near me that rents lift time at $40 an hour, I recently used it to change my transmission filter, drain and fill 3.5 liters of trans oil, clean the pan, magnet, and change the rear transmission mount. I really need to do the engine mounts, but I am at a total loss on how to get the old ones out. Every time I take a look at it, I come away with a headache.
Due to age and cracks, I elected to replaced the front bumper, fog lights, and repaint the fenders and hood at a local body shop for a big bill, but I love this car so much I did not care about the economics.
Recently, I have been thinking about how to integrate Android Auto and Apple Carplay and found that there is an open source community supporting Android Auto using Raspberry Pi hardware, so I bought off the shelf items, assembled them, uploaded the software following basic instructions and mounted the screen on the dash. It only works for Android Auto, but I got my phone to project to the Raspberry Pi and route the audio to the Bluetooth puck I have plugged into the AUX port so it all works for now and I like the upgrade given the cost ($150ish) I am designing a new housing for the LCD that I want to extend from the triangular dash grill piece with. Hopefully, I can 3D print it using Shapeways.com and have a way to hide all the wires and give it an OEM look.
I lust for a C63 with the 6.2, but am saving up for a house in my area with a 3+ car garage to support my hobby! Hoping to snag a late model W204 one day, but not sure if I am ready to let go of the C55. Maybe I can somehow keep both!
]
Super dope post. I hope you keep it since youve managed to care for it for so long but a c63 is really the next step. Even I still search classifieds for a w204 amg. Ideally a supercharged one but thats serious next level. Did the paint on the valve covers wear down or what type of paint did you use? I was thinking of powder coating mine and even powder coating the intake. Either way your reply is great, and the mods add serious value to yours so dont settle for less if you happen upon a buyer.
Also the 3d printing the housing for the lcd, have you considered designing your own on slic3r? What kind of printer do you have? or what kind of plastic will you use?


As for the lazy LCD screen...please post more info on that. Mine is impossible to see in the day and I dont mind buying the screen for about 70 bucks locally. I just need to know if I can do it or if there is somewhere I can go or send it to. I am really impressed with what you wrote here. I hope to continue seeing posts and updates on your 32 and also hope you don't have to cut into your rare chassis.
Well, this is no joke - I blew the fuel pump on the car. So I really do think I have broken everything. (My cupholder still works and is OE though!!; I promise I am not a full maniac)
I'll have to make a full post soon on all the little rust spots, and the places where I've spend four figures over and over

It is still on the OE 17 split-spokes. I run 225/45R17 up front due to race stance (rubbed with 235's), in the rear I have 255/40R17, which are occasionally rubbing when I go sideways on the road. I will need to roll the fenders (and potentially modify the tubs), as I have lowered the rear to match the front so the car has zero rake, risky to the rears but it looks damn good.
I love the Michelin Pilot SS's up front, but prefer the Bridgestone Potenza RE-71R in the rear (I get them cheap and they hook really well)
The LCD is suuuper easy, hit ebay for the LCD (I got mine $90CAN from a used C240 dash), then pop the whole dash out of its socket with two ends of a coat hanger with 90deg. hook bends at the ends, you'll hear one tick/side while you slightly pull the whole unit out, careful to unlatch and unhook the single cable in the rear. Take it somewhere clean, (no dust), take the lens off and replace the screen with the ribbon cable. Re-insert and you're done, look for dust if you are OCD
. Mine got the summer woes the first season I owned it and it sucked to stare at my transmission position on a screen faded from the top and bottom.tl;dr Still committed to the C32 lol


